Marufa Akter’s magic ball lights up Women’s World Cup; Malinga calls it the best of tournament

Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter produced a moment of pure brilliance at the Women’s World Cup 2025, sending shockwaves through the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with a searing inswinger that flattened Pakistan’s Omaima Sohail.

The delivery — described by Sri Lankan great Lasith Malinga as the “best of the tournament so far” — lit up Bangladesh’s emphatic seven-wicket win on October 2.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan were jolted by Marufa’s fiery opening spell. Charging in with rhythm and control, the 21-year-old quick bowled an unplayable ball that cut back sharply to crash into Sohail’s stumps, leaving commentators and fans stunned.

Moments later, she dismissed Sidra Amin in near-identical fashion, coming within a whisker of a hat-trick.

Malinga, the master of swing himself, hailed the spell on social media. “Pure skill. Excellent control. So far the best delivery in this tournament,” he wrote.

Former India captain Mithali Raj echoed the sentiment, applauding Marufa’s precision. “She swung it both ways and hit the right length. Swing without accuracy doesn’t get you rewards — and she was rewarded with two massive wickets. For a young pacer, to deliver that start in a World Cup is remarkable,” Mithali said.

Marufa finished with figures of 2 for 31 in seven overs, setting the tone as Pakistan folded for just 129 in 38.3 overs. Debutant Rubya Haider Jhelik then sealed Bangladesh’s triumph with a composed unbeaten 54, steering the chase home in just 31.1 overs.

For Bangladesh, it was more than a win — it was a statement. And at the heart of it was Marufa Akter, the rising star whose inswinging beauty may well go down as the defining ball of this Women’s World Cup.